In 1989, a man purchased an unappealing artwork for its $4 frame, only to find one of the 26 existing copies of the United States’ Declaration of Independence concealed behind it. He subsequently auctioned it off for a staggering $2.42 million.
While the majority of the world observes Labor Day on May 1st in memory of the Haymarket Affair in Chicago, the United States follows a different tradition. Rather than commemorating the event on May 1st, the US celebrates “Law Day” on this date. This special day emphasizes the importance of law in the nation’s founding…
For more than a hundred years, spanning from colonial times to shortly after World War II, New York City witnessed a peculiar annual event called “Moving Day.” Every May 1st, the city’s streets transformed into a chaotic scene as a result of an oddity in New York law. With almost all rental agreements ending at…
In 1848, Henry Brown was a slave in his 30s who had spent almost 20 years working on a Virginia plantation. There, he met his wife and had three children with her. Tragically, the plantation owner sold Brown’s wife and children to another slave owner, leaving Brown powerless to intervene. By March of the following…
Fred Franzia, the creator of the affordable wine brand “Two Buck Chuck,” purchased the Charles Shaw name from a defunct winery for $27,000. When inquired about his wine’s lower price compared to water, Franzia humorously responded, “They’re overcharging for the water. Don’t you get it?”
Today, we mourn the passing of Jerry Springer, a legendary television personality who made a significant impact on pop culture. To honor his memory, we’ve compiled a list of five intriguing facts about his life. Born in a WWII bomb shelter: Jerry Springer entered the world in extraordinary circumstances, as his birth took place in…
Ekiben, the quintessential Japanese train travel companion, are specially crafted bento box meals that showcase the unique flavors of each region. As passengers journey through Japan, they can indulge in these locally inspired delicacies that differ from station to station. In the 1980s, the popularity of ekiben soared, with an estimated 12 million boxes enjoyed…
In 1975, the legendary artist Stevie Wonder found himself growing increasingly frustrated with the state of the U.S. government. At one point, he seriously considered leaving his music career behind and relocating to Ghana. Ultimately, however, he chose to channel his emotions into his work, which led to the creation of the now-iconic album, Songs…
A recent study has shown that pet parrots, when taught to use video calls to communicate with one another, experience reduced loneliness. By providing the birds with a tablet for making video calls, researchers observed an increase in social behaviors such as preening, singing, and play. The parrots were allowed to choose their “friends” to…
Despite careful planning, things can still go awry, emphasizing the importance of preparing for the worst. In 1969, as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made their groundbreaking lunar landing, NASA’s main worry was whether the lunar lander could effectively leave the moon’s surface and reunite with Michael Collins aboard the lunar orbiter. Had the liftoff…